Chapter Text
It is Friday, the final day of my semester exams, and I am eager to mark the occasion. I decided to treat myself by heading straight to the family restaurant, which is conveniently located far from school, ordering a drink and some fries as my celebration.
“The coast is clear,” I murmured to myself, feeling a sense of relief. I reached into my bag to pull out the latest volume of I Can Act Spoiled If My Little Sister is Older Than Me. The book had been on my mind all week, but now that I am finally free, I could dive in without any interruptions.
‘Why am I going through all this trouble just to read a book here’ you might be asking? I could’ve easily gone home and read it in the comfort of my room, after all. Unfortunately, there is a small problem. The little sister character in the book bore a striking resemblance to my younger sister, Nukumizu Kaju. I couldn't let her get the wrong idea. After all, any similarity is purely coincidental. Still, I didn’t want Kaju to catch a glimpse of me reading it and make assumptions. It isn’t like I was obsessed with the series or anything! It is a best-seller, and curiosity got the better of me. Surely, there is no harm in indulging.
I settled in and began reading, the chapters pulling me deeper into the story. As I reached the end of one particularly emotional chapter, I reluctantly set the book down. The tension in my chest lingered, a mixture of admiration and comfort lingering as I reflected on the little sister in the story. The way she pampered her older brother, letting him rest his head on her lap—it is very heartwarming. I felt something stir in my chest, but I quickly tried to calm myself.
After a moment, I went to open the next chapter, ready to lose myself in the world again, when a loud voice from the neighboring table yanked me out of my thoughts.
“W-what are you saying, Karen? Me, in love with Sousuke?!”
Startled, I looked up. My eyes widened as I saw that the source of the disturbance wasn’t just some random group, but my own classmates.
As I processed the scene, I found myself involuntarily sinking lower in my seat, trying to remain unseen. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be part of whatever drama is unfolding, especially when I realized that the one who had shouted is none other than Yanami Anna.
Yanami is one of the most popular girls in school. True to her reputation, she is a relentless foodie. I’d heard rumors that if a new restaurant opened anywhere in our prefecture, Yanami would probably already been there, sampling the menu and giving a detailed review on every dish. It didn’t matter where or when—if there is food, Yanami is there. And right now, she is the one causing all the ruckus.
As she continued to draw attention with her animated voice, I debated my next move. Should I sit back and enjoy the unexpected spectacle, or continue reading my book? Either way, my quiet Friday afternoon is turning out to be far more eventful than I’d planned.
Sitting across from Yanami is Himemiya Karen, a transfer student who had joined our school only recently yet had already managed to create quite a stir. I vividly remembered the buzz surrounding her arrival—something about her accusing a classmate of groping her.
While I’d never actually spoken to her, Himemiya had quickly made a name for herself with her bright and approachable personality. She seemed to get along with everyone, and her curvaceous figure—especially her voluptuous chest—meant that she was soon considered one of the most popular girls at school. It isn’t surprising to see her with Yanami Anna; the two of them were inseparable ever since Himemiya transferred here.
Still, I couldn't help but glance back at my book, trying to focus while my ears caught snippets of their conversation.
“I could tell from the way you always react around him,” Himemiya teased, her voice light. “You always sing his praises when you talk about him, and you brighten up whenever he’s around.”
“Well, yeah,” Yanami replied with a roll of her eyes, but there was a hint of defensiveness in her tone. “We’ve been together since childhood. How could I not talk about him?”
The playful tension between the two of them is palpable, but it seemed to shift when Yanami’s expression darkened. “Besides,” she added, crossing her arms, “I’ve got my issues with him too. He’s got no tact, always ogling at girls.”
At that, I could already tell where this is headed. It isn’t exactly subtle—Yanami and Himemiya were fighting over the same guy. And that guy? Hakamada Sousuke, the quintessential popular jock in our class. He is known for his athleticism, charm, and, as I now realized, his knack for being at the center of drama like this.
Despite the heated exchange, it felt less like a serious argument and more like Himemiya poking fun at her friend.
“And yet,” Himemiya continued, raising an eyebrow, “I can tell you still care more about him than the other guys at school. I mean, remember when we all went to the new pool? You couldn’t stop staring at him.”
Yanami’s face immediately flushed crimson. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you staring at him too, Karen,” she shot back, voice defensive but tinged with embarrassment.
“Ah, but I’m not the one who stopped chewing for a full minute when it happened,” Himemiya countered, her teasing tone sharpening just a little.
Yanami’s face turned so red, I half expected steam to start pouring out of her ears. Honestly, if this family restaurant didn’t have air conditioning, I am pretty sure she might’ve passed out from the heat. The playful banter is relentless, and I couldn’t help but watch, half-amused, half-curious to see how this would play out.
It is a strange scene: two girls, clearly close, yet constantly sparing for the attention of one guy. I suppose this is just another side of high school life, but it still felt a little surreal to witness so openly.
“Do...?” Yanami’s voice wavered, barely above a whisper.
“Hm?” Himemiya turned her attention back to her friend, her expression softening.
“Do you think he has feelings for me too?” Yanami asked, her head lowered in uncertainty, her voice meek.
Himemiya’s smile is reassuring, almost motherly as she gently placed her hands over Yanami’s. “Anna, you are the most energetic, beautiful, and kind girl I’ve ever met. Sousuke would be honored to have someone like you by his side.” Her voice is warm and comforting, the kind of support you’d only expect from someone who truly cared. “And despite his... tactlessness,” she added with a playful smirk, “he has always treated you with respect and care.”
Yanami looked up at her, a mixture of hope and doubt still lingering in her eyes. “Do…do you really mean that?”
Himemiya’s hands slowly left hers as she straightened, her expression serious. “You need to confront your feelings for him, Anna. I know how much he means to you.”
“But... what about your...?”
The look Himemiya gave her, calm and knowing, answered the unspoken concern. She isn’t going to hold Yanami back, not when it came to something as important as love.
With a deep breath, Yanami nodded, determination shining through her concern. “Thank you, Karen,” she said, her voice stronger now as she grabbed her bag. “I’m going to go confront that knucklehead Sousuke and tell him how I feel.”
Himemiya’s face lit up with a cheerful smile. “Go for it, Anna! I know you can do it!” she encouraged, practically bouncing in her seat as she cheered her friend on.
Without another word, Yanami rushed out of the restaurant, leaving Himemiya behind with a proud look on her face.
For a moment, I just sat there, blinking in mild disbelief. Watching the trope of the "secondary heroine" pushing the "main heroine" toward the protagonist unfold right before my eyes felt surreal. This is the stuff of dramas and Rom-coms, not real life... or so I thought.
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked down at my book again, but just as I was about to dive back into the pages, I heard something that caught my attention: soft sobbing from the table where Himemiya had been sitting.
My eyes widened, curiosity pulling me back toward her. Through the slight hum of the restaurant, I could barely make out what she is saying, her voice quiet and trembling.
“This... this is fine,” she muttered to herself, her words barely audible.
It is a strange thing to overhear—Himemiya, the usually confident and cheerful girl, sounding so fragile at that moment.
I couldn't help but feel a little unsettled. Just moments ago, she’d been encouraging Yanami to confess her feelings, but now? Now, it felt like something had shifted in the air.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. Even as she cried, there is an odd elegance to the way the tears fell from her eyes. They shimmered in the light, each droplet almost ethereal, like tiny crystals tumbling down her cheeks.
Realizing that I had been staring for longer than I should, I quickly slapped my own cheek, a sharp motion to snap myself out of it. What am I doing? I thought. I had to preserve what little dignity I had left. I couldn't allow myself to get caught up in someone else's emotional moment, especially not when I am so unprepared for it.
Reaching for my drink to steady my thoughts, I am reminded that my cup is empty. Irritated, I stood up and made my way toward the self-serve drink station, hoping the simple task would clear my head. 'Five minutes. Just five minutes to forget about all of this', I told myself, trying to distract myself from the storm of thoughts swirling around my mind.
Unfortunately, the distraction worked too effectively.
“Omph!”
Before I could even register what had happened, I felt a sudden bump from behind me. My body jolted forward from the shock, and in a desperate attempt to regain my balance, I collided into a waiter holding a tray laden with food and drinks.
Crash! Shatter!
The deafening noise of plates and cups smashing to the ground filled the air, followed by the splattering of food and drinks everywhere. I almost swore aloud, the frustration bubbling up as I took in the damage.
Regaining my composure, I quickly checked myself for stains. Fortunately, nothing had spilled on my uniform. But as my gaze swept over the mess, I couldn’t help but feel disgusted at the greasy puddles and shattered glass that now littered the floor.
“I AM SO SORRY!”
I whipped around at the sound of the frantic apology, only to find Himemiya standing there, her face flushed in embarrassment. She is frantically apologizing to both the waiter and me, practically bowing with each word as she joined in the cleanup.
I sighed inwardly. This is a disaster.
Soon enough, the restaurant manager arrived to assess the situation. His face is neutral, though I could tell he is clearly frustrated by the mess. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he gave his verdict. “I’ll let this go, but the two of you will need to cover the cost of the damages.”
I glanced at the manager as he handed us the receipt. I could barely believe my eyes as I scrolled through the list of food and drinks we were being charged for. The amount seemed excessive, especially considering that I hadn’t ordered anything else beyond my drink and fries.
My eyes widened as I continued to read. The list went on, detailing a staggering number of items I knew I hadn’t asked for. It dawned on me—there hadn’t been anyone else at the restaurant when the waiter was heading over to us, except Himemiya and me. The only other person who could’ve ordered all that food... was Himemiya herself.
Wait a minute... wasn’t Yanami here earlier? She is a notorious glutton, but this amount? I couldn’t fathom how she would’ve found room for all that food.
“It is my fault. I will pay for the whole thing.”
I blinked, pulled out of my thoughts by Himemiya’s sudden declaration. Her face is resolute as she stared at the receipt, clearly prepared to take responsibility for the entire mess. And honestly, it didn’t surprise me. After all, she is the one who had caused this disaster in the first place.
“Are you sure?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. I didn’t mind taking my share of the blame, considering I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings.
“I insist,” Himemiya replied with a small, strained smile, “It’s the least I can do after causing all this trouble.”
I watched her for a moment, trying to read her expression, but it is impossible to tell if she is being completely genuine or if there is something more going on. Either way, this whole situation had taken a strange turn, and now it seemed like I am stuck in the middle of it.
I let out a quiet sigh. I had no idea how I had gone from a lighthearted celebration to this complete fiasco, but at least it seemed like Himemiya is determined to make things right. Even if that meant taking the entire cost upon herself.
Himemiya opened her wallet and began counting the money she had on hand, her face growing paler with each passing moment. She dug deeper into her bag, searching desperately for any additional cash, but came up empty.
“Um, I’ll pay what I have for now,” she said, her voice shaky. “Is it okay if I come back later to pay the rest?”
The manager’s expression hardened. “Lately, there’ve been too many people dining and dashing,” he said. “I can’t let this slide. You’re welcome to have your parents come by to pay the remainder, but you’ll need to stay here in the meantime.”
Himemiya’s face turned a shade paler, and she looked around frantically, clearly trying to think of another way out.
“I can pay for the remaining amount,” I said, my voice cutting through the tension. I wanted this whole thing to be over as soon as possible, and I figured that paying now would make things easier.
The manager gave a slight nod, accepting my offer without much protest. Luckily, between the two of us, we had enough cash to cover the damages.
After a few more apologies and a few awkward glances exchanged with the manager, the two of us finally made our way out of the restaurant in silence. The temperature had cooled down enough that it is now bearable to leave the comfort of the air conditioning.
Just as I am about to turn away and leave, Himemiya called out to me. “My apologies, I never asked for your name.”
I paused, glancing back at her. “Nukumizu Kazuhiko.”
Himemiya smiled warmly and gave a graceful bow. “Well then, Nukumizu-kun, I’m Himemiya Karen.”
Her smile is so different from the one she’d worn earlier—this one is genuine, without a hint of embarrassment or concern. It is the kind of smile you would expect from someone who had fully recovered from a difficult moment, as though she were never affected by the mess we had just caused.
At that moment, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a soft golden glow that illuminated her figure. For a brief second, I couldn’t help but think that the setting sun is highlighting her in the same way a spotlight would towards a main heroine in a movie. I quickly shielded my eyes from the harsh rays. Fortunately, Himemiya noticed my discomfort and guided me towards to some shade.
“Is that better?” she asked, her voice gentle.
I couldn’t tell if it is the aftereffects of staring at the sun or if Himemiya herself is just that dazzling, but even in the shade, I still saw bright spots of light dancing around her, like an afterimage lingering in my vision.
“I... I’m fine, Himemiya-san,” I muttered, blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear the blinding glow that seemed to follow her.
She sighed in relief. “Good. I wouldn’t want to cause any more trouble.”
Not wanting to risk going blind, I took the opportunity to say my goodbyes. “Well, I’m heading to the train station now. Take care.”
“Wait!” Himemiya called out, grabbing my collar before I could walk away. “Can you tell me which class you're in? I’ll definitely pay you back when we meet next week.”
It stung a little when I realized she didn’t even know we were in the same class. But since we’d never really talked, it made sense she wouldn’t recognize me. Still, it is a little depressing.
“Ah, I’m in class 1-C.”
Her eyes brightened instantly. “What a coincidence! I’m in class 1-C too!”
Her smile practically illuminated the area, and I couldn’t help but feel a little blinded by the intensity of her expression. The sunlight had nothing on her, and I am starting to wonder if it really is Himemiya herself that is making everything so blinding.
“I’ll see you in class next week, Nukumizu-kun!” she called over her shoulder, her hair catching the light in a way that seemed almost unfairly cinematic.
I rubbed my eyes, blinking against the brightness. Is it the sun? Or her? Either way, next time, I am definitely bringing sunglasses.
Three days had passed, and now it is Monday. I leaned back up from the faucet and wiped my mouth, satisfied with the refreshing taste of water.
“It is decided,” I muttered to myself. The first-floor sink near the library had become my sanctuary. Early in the morning, this was the place for top-quality tap water. Being further from the rooftop water tank meant it had minimal chlorine, making it far better for the stomach before lunchtime.
My thirst quenched, I made my way back to class, my mind drifting back to last week’s events involving Himemiya Karen. When she first transferred to our school, everyone had made a huge fuss over her beauty and grace. After our brief encounter last week, I realized there was truth to those words. Even in distress, she maintained an elegance in her movements that was almost unreal. And the way her long hair had flowed in the wind as we went our separate ways...
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away. It was clear that we lived in different worlds. However, due to recent events, our paths had temporarily aligned.
Anyways, once I got my money back, that would be the end of it. It would be one of those things I’d look back on and think, Yep, that sure was a thing that happened.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance as soon as I slid open the classroom door. Yakishio Lemon, the star athlete, was sitting on my desk. Despite her profession, that girl was the type who wouldn’t budge an inch until the bell rang.
Defeated, I wandered over to the notice board and began catching up on the latest school news.
“Karen.”
I twisted my head at the mention of Himemiya’s name, and to my surprise, I saw her standing with Hakamada and Yanami, their arms locked together.
“Thanks for the advice, Karen,” Yanami declared, proudly showing off Hakamada as if he were a trophy. “Because of it, Sousuke and I are now going out with each other!”
“Congratulations!” Himemiya beamed, her smile nearly blinding me with its warmth. “I always knew the two of you would make the perfect couple.”
I had to look away to avoid being overwhelmed by the dazzling glow she emitted even from a distance.
“We should all go celebrate!” Yanami continued, her voice full of excitement. “I know a shop that serves the best celebratory parfaits that would be perfect for us.”
“I’m good,” Himemiya responded, still smiling as she gently rejected the offer. Her composure is impressive, considering the situation. I had expected a hint of discomfort, but she handled it well. “The two of you are finally together. No need to include me on your date plans.”
“Oh, sorry about that,” Yanami apologized, releasing her hold on Himemiya as she realized what her friend had meant.
“Don’t be like that,” Hakamada interjected, clearly not understanding the nuance. “We’re all friends here. There’s no need to hold back for our sake.”
“I-It’s fine,” Himemiya stuttered, trying to compose herself. It is clear she still hadn’t gotten over him yet. “I would just be a bother to you two.”
“Ehh, but the parfait there is really good,” Hakamada stated, not noticing Himemiya's increasing distress. Fortunately, Yanami pinched Hakamada in the back, making him yelp in pain.
“Mou, Sousuke,” her tone stated harshly, “If a girl rejects a parfait, it means she’s on a diet.” She winked at Himemiya as she said it, no doubt hoping to make her feel better.
Hakamada, ever tactless, chuckled and then added, “Well, she could use a bit of fat in some areas.”
I almost choked on the awkwardness. How bold of him to say that while his girlfriend is standing right there.
Yanami, not missing a beat, pinched Hakamada’s ear, pulling him down to her height.
“Sou-su-ke!” she scolded, her expression reminding me of an Oni from those old Japanese paintings. It is both terrifying and hilarious at the same time.
“Argh, I get it, I get it. Just let go already,” Sousuke groaned, clearly defeated.
“Sorry about that,” Yanami apologized, still holding onto his ear. “He’s still pretty tactless in these situations.”
Himemiya could only laugh softly, watching her friends’ antics with a slight smile.
“That’s fine,” she said kindly, wiping away a small tear that had appeared in her eye. “You two have only just become a couple. He’ll eventually learn.”
Yanami sighed, then suddenly wrapped her arms around Himemiya.
“Thank you for your help, Karen. You’re my best friend in the whole world!” she said, voice thick with gratitude.
At first, Himemiya hesitated, clearly taken aback by the sudden display of affection, but eventually, she reciprocated, wrapping her arms around Yanami.
“Thank you. You are my best friend as well,” Himemiya said, her voice soft as she held her friend tightly.
After they released each other, Himemiya is about to say something, but her eyes caught mine. She froze, her smile faltering for a brief moment as she noticed me standing there.
“Nukumizu-kun!”
I flinched involuntarily at the sudden call of my name. My eyes widened as Himemiya closed the distance between us, her presence far too close for comfort.
“I wanted to thank you for the other day at the restaurant,” she said, standing right before me. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, and the sudden proximity made my heart race.
“Hmph.”
I could only manage a weak, almost helpless sound in response to how forward she is being. My thoughts were jumbled, and I could feel my face flushing.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Himemiya quickly apologized, stepping back slightly. My breath came out in a quiet sigh of relief as she gave me a little space.
“That reminds me,” she continued, her voice full of sincerity, “I still need to repay you for what happened last week. Let me go grab it from my locker.”
Before I could respond, I overheard a few of my classmates whispering behind us.
“Eh, is Nukumizu blackmailing Himemiya-san or something?” one voice murmured. “What did Himemiya-san mean by repaying him?” another added. “It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”
I stiffened, my mind racing. I knew how quickly rumors could spread, and if anyone saw me accepting money from Himemiya, it could spiral completely out of control. I had to nip this in the bud before it got any worse.
“Can we talk about this during lunch?” I blurted out, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I could think them through.
Himemiya stopped, looking at me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “Are you sure about this?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, please! I am in no rush!” I quickly added, my voice betraying my nervousness as it became a bit higher pitched than I intended.
“Alright then,” Himemiya said with a pout, clearly a little confused, but agreeing nonetheless.
“Also, can we talk about this elsewhere?” I whispered, trying to avoid attracting any more attention.
She leaned in slightly, as though trying to catch my words. “Where should we talk about it?” Her voice is quieter to match my softer tone,
“The fire escape stairs at the side of the old annex. Let’s meet there during lunch,” I said, lowering my voice even further, glancing around to make sure no one is paying too much attention.
“Alright,” she replied, nodding in agreement before heading back to her desk.
The bell rang soon after, and I finally felt a sense of relief as Yakishio finally got off my desk, leaving me a bit of breathing space. However, the weight of my classmates’ stares lingered in the air, and I could practically feel the tension building in the room.
Fortunately, the moment didn’t last long, as Amanatsu-sensei entered the classroom to start the lesson, distracting everyone with the usual classroom bustle. But even then, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the rumors would continue to spread, and I would be right in the middle of them.
I just had to get through this until lunch.
As soon as the lunch bell rang, I hurriedly made my way toward the fire escape stairs outside. This secluded spot had become my personal haven during my quiet moments at school. I had discovered it while searching for drink fountains, and its privacy and peace made it the perfect place to escape the world. I sat down, took out some bread from my bag, and began eating while waiting for Himemiya.
"Ah, Nukumizu-kun, there you are."
Almost as if on cue, Himemiya appeared at the top of the stairs, and the sunlight hit her just right, making her look like she is glowing. The scene is so surreal that I could almost hear an angelic choir playing in the background.
"At this rate, I’m going to go blind," I muttered under my breath.
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked with a puzzled expression.
"Nothing! Never mind." I quickly shook my head, trying to shake off the mental image of her as some celestial being.
I stood up to meet her as she descended the stairs. She is rummaging through her wallet for the cash she owed me.
“It was 3,617 yen. Did I get the value right?” she asked, holding out the money.
I reached out to take it, and my fingers brushed against hers. I wasn’t prepared for how smooth her hands were—smoother than I could have ever imagined. A small, stupid part of my brain was wondering if such smooth hands were even possible.
Okay, snap out of it, Kazuhiko. You’re acting like a creep.
“Did I get the correct amount?” she asked again, breaking me out of my daze.
Hastily, I counted the money in my hands and confirmed that everything is there. "Yup, pleasure doing business with you," I said, though I immediately regretted using that phrasing.
Seriously? "Pleasure doing business"? That’s not even a proper way to respond to someone repaying you.
“Oh, that’s great!” Himemiya clapped her hands together in relief. “I’m glad I got it right!”
I smiled awkwardly. “Welp, now that business has concluded, you can go back now.” I moved to sit a few steps down from her, hoping the conversation would end there.
But to my surprise, Himemiya stayed standing in place, shifting her feet nervously.
“Now that I think about it, are we even allowed to stay on the emergency stairs, Nukumizu-kun?” she asked, her voice a little hesitant.
My heart sank. Oh no, don’t tell me she’s one of those people who strictly follow the rules.
“I mean... only if you could keep it a secret from everyone,”
“I didn’t know you were a delinquent, Nukumizu-kun,” she responded, her eyes widening in playful surprise.
Delinquent? Me? That is... unexpected.
I shook my head as she walked down the stairs and sat next to me on the step. I couldn’t help but notice how close she is sitting.
"Does this girl know the concept of personal space?" I thought while scooting to the far side of the step.
“Then,” Himemiya began, not noticing my subtle attempt to create space, “if I keep it a secret, would you please let me stay here for a while?”
Wait, what? Stay here?
“It’s only until summer vacation. I promise I won’t take up too much space.” Her eyes were wide and pleading, the intensity of her gaze making my heart feel a little lighter, and yet a little heavier at the same time.
No, this is my spot. I had claimed it the moment I found it, and I wasn’t about to let anyone intrude on my alone time. But as I looked at her—her hopeful, almost vulnerable expression—I hesitated.
I had always thought of Himemiya as the outgoing, bright girl who could lift the mood of any room. But lately, I had begun to notice a softer side of her, one that made me question whether there is more to her than I had originally assumed.
I didn’t know what was going on with her, and honestly, I knew it isn’t my business. But when I saw her looking at me like that, it became hard to turn her away.
“Well, if it’s only until then,” I said sheepishly. “I guess it’s fine as long as you don’t disrupt me.”
Himemiya’s eyes lit up instantly. “Oh, thank you very much!” She grabbed both of my hands and shook them up and down with so much force that I thought my arms were going to fall off.
I could only respond to her with a wry smile. I looked up at the afternoon sun warming the air around us, and silently wondered what I had just gotten myself into.